Need to Change Your Name on Your Social Security Card?
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: November 3, 2023
Are you changing your name? If so, let Social Security know so we can update your information, send you a corrected card, and make sure you get the benefits you’ve earned.
To change your name on your card, you must show us documents proving your legal name change and identity. If you are a U.S. citizen, you also must show us a document proving your U.S. citizenship, if it is not already in our records. You must present original documents or copies certified by the agency that issued them. We can’t accept photocopies or notarized copies.
To prove your legal name change, you must show one of the following documents:
- Marriage document.
- Divorce decree.
- Certificate of naturalization showing a new name.
- Court order for a name change.
To prove your identity, you must show an unexpired document showing your name, identifying information, and photograph, such as one of the following:
- U.S. driver’s license.
- State-issued non-driver’s identification card.
- U.S. passport.
If you don’t have one of those documents available, we may be able to accept your:
- Employer identification card.
- School identification card.
- Health insurance card.
- U.S. military identification card.
To prove your U.S. citizenship, you must show one of the following documents:
- U.S. birth certificate.
- U.S. Consular Report of Birth Abroad.
- U.S. passport (unexpired).
- Certificate of Naturalization.
- Certificate of Citizenship.
Whatever your reason for your name change, Social Security is here to help you with the new… you! Fill out the form online and follow the instructions to ensure your Social Security card is delivered in a timely manner. You can also locate your local field office so you can apply for your updated card and show your required documents in person.
For complete instructions, visit our Social Security Number and Card page, which includes information for non-citizens. And remember, if you simply need to replace a lost Social Security card, but don’t need to change your name, you can — in most states — request your replacement card online using your personal my Social Security account.
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Tags: my Social Security, my Social Security account, Social Security card, SSN
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Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
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Margaret L.
My name has NOT CHANGED, however, the State of DE No longer uses a females “Middle Name Initial”, on their Drivers License, but rather to be Federally Compliant the DE Drivers License must use the females “Maiden Name Initial”. So my middle name has NOT CHANGED. My question is, MUST I HAVE MY MIDDLE INITIAL CHANGED on, my SS card & Medicare card?
I CANNOT SAY MY MIDDLE INITIAL HAS CHANGED, in my life time the Rules have changed, thereby changing what constitutes a females middle initial.
Maria L.
Good afternoon, time now in NZ was 2:52pm Sunday/ Please let me know if you can investigate who found my US Suc Sec. Card and I did not change my name still the same, because I know that is my Lifetime Number when I used to work at Miami/Fla. 1981 up to 1982 If someone found it and change the name pls. have it investigated they are getting all the benefits of it while I am the “ORIGINAL” worker and file that number for my lifetime. Please make it known in news so that everybody must know I loss that number for my lifetime, and can not be change the names and number.Be aware of those who are “FAKING” and long time using My SSEC,CARD. Thank you and Happy New Year to everyone.
Imani
My problem is not with the name on my social security card. It is with the name on my Medicare card. My legal name is Imani. That is what appears on my social security card. That is what appears on my Ohio driver’s license. That is the name on ALL of my identification, EXCEPT my Medicare card. The name on that is UNKNOWN IMANI. Medicare blames social security. Social security blames Medicare. Either way, this is not acceptable and I need it changed. You cannot just arbitrarily assign me a first name. My legal name is Imani and ALL of my identification should reflect that. What do I have to do or who do I have to talk to to ensure that this is corrected?
Dawn B.
I’m disabled and can’t not get to my Social security office . To change my married name back to my maiden name. So how can do it on line.
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Mary K.
My social security card was issued to me at age 12 and I used my family nickname “Kathy” instead of my name on my birth certificate, drivers license and Passport – Mary Kathleen.
Do I fill out the Social Security App and bring my license, passport and brith certificate to get this re-issued?
A.C.
Hi, Mary Kay. You cannot apply for a corrected Social Security card online, when changing your name. In order to change your name on your Social Security card, you must show us a document that proves your legal name change. If the document you provide as evidence of a legal name change does not give us enough information to identify you in our records, you must show us an identity document in your old name (as shown in our records), and another identity document with your new name. We prefer a government issued document with your picture, as proof of identity. Any document you submit, must be an original or certified copy, current (not expired) and show your name, and other identifying information (date of birth or age). We offer the option to mail your completed application with original or certified documents to your local Social Security office or nearest Card Center in your area. We hope this helps!
Christina R.
my name is Christina Rico. I just got my name given back to me by the court and I have the court papers . I have a valid drivers licence and a valid passport with my married name Rico.. I would like to change my social security name back to Maya.. Please let me know what I need to do.
V.V.
Hi Christina, thank you using our blog. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page on how to change your name on your Social Security card.
Lori F.
If I already got my passport and DL changed with my new married name, do I have to still bring in my marriage license to get a new card?
V.V.
Congratulations on your marriage, Lori! Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page on how to change your name on your Social Security card.
Wai
Greetings,
My name is Wai, I believe my SSN was stolen by someone. Can I change the number, or place a security password on the SSN?
R.F.
Hello Wai, if you think someone is using your Social Security number, there are several actions you can take. Please visit our Frequently Asked Questions web page about this topic. Thanks!
barbara b.
i am sick and on oxygen and need to come in to change name since i went to a judge and got my maiden name back but my DL expired in sept.2018 and i can’t afford to get a new drivers license and then have to pay again for another dl after changing name can you use my license that expired with my birth certificate,judge;s order, my debit card i use to get my social security and will i be able to see someone soon or stand in line thank you
R.F.
Hello Barbara. In order to change your name on your Social Security card, you must show us a document that proves your legal name change.
To change or correct your name in your Social Security card, you will need to provide us with the court order showing the change of name.
If the document you provide as evidence of a legal name change does not give us enough information to identify you in our records, you must show us an identity document in your old name (as shown in our records). It is the identity document (also known as your ID) that we will accept if it has expired, however, we still will need to see proof (legal document) of the name change.
We offer the option to mail your completed application with the original or certified documents to the nearest Social Security office or Card Center in your area.
To make an appointment and to make a request for special accommodations, you can call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 and ask one of our agents to assist you. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Thanks!